
BOStrab: German Federal LRT Construction & Operation Regulations
Page 2 of 60
TRANSLATOR'S NOTES
The German word "Stra
ß
enbahnen" includes, for the purposes of this document LRT as well
as Tramways and the regulations also apply to Underground railways (metros), including
those which would be thought of in USA as "heavy rail transit", such as the Munich
underground system.
Until 1934, Tramways as well as light railways and undergrounds were dealt with under the
same regulations as main-line railways, albeit when appropriate, having regard to road traffic
laws as well. At that time it was decided to make separate regulations for "Stra
ß
enbahnen",
then actually mainly street tramways, and extended them to cover all the cases included in the
above paragraph.
Similarly the word "Betrieb" has been interpreted throughout this document as either
"Operation, Operational or Operating", except where clearly meaning the whole system or
undertaking. In fact, although these are the most accurate and appropriate English words to
describe the meaning of Betrieb, the latter covers a much wider range of activities than the
words, Operations, Operational or Operating convey to an English reader with a railway,
background. A good definition of the German meaning intended in this document appears in
§ 1, Clause (4)
Thus while an English reader distinguishes between a depot or workshop which he regards as
an "Engineering" installation, and a station or signal box which he regards as an "Operating"
installation, both would be included in German as "Betriebsanlagen", i.e. "Operational
installations", or installations belonging to the system.
There is a particular problem in the case of the definition of the "Betriebsleiter". This person
may be both the general manager of the "Betrieb", i.e. the Undertaker, and he may also be the
Operations Manager. Some of the German LRTs or Metros are small enough, not to
differentiate between the two functions, but even where such a division is required, the
"Operations" Manager will, although subordinate to the Chairman or Board to whom other
"chief officers" also report, still be responsible for the safety of operation of the "Betrieb", i.e.
the whole undertaking. This individual requires specific qualifications (including engineering
qualifications) and certification, which carry with them certain legal responsibilities, the exact
equivalent of which do not necessarily exist in the UK.
Similarly, "Fahrpersonal" has been translated as "Train and Traffic Staff" since staff of both
these categories are included in the German term. There is much greater difficulty in defining
"Betriebsbedienstete", which has been translated as "Operational Staff". An attempt to define
the status of this part of the staff is made at an appropriate point in the text, but the position is
not fully resolved even in Germany.
It should also be noted that the term "Signalanlagen" in German includes signs and indicators
which would NOT be regarded as Signals in English usage, while on the other hand,
"Zugsicherungsanlagen", (i.e. Train safety or protection systems) includes point interlockings
for example, which would be included in English as a part of the Signalling system.